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SWAN SET FOR HUGE FA SUM<\/p>\n
Sydney key forward Joel Amartey is set to attract eye-watering offers as a free agent, especially once Ben King re-signs at Gold Coast, as is expected. <\/p>\n
Amartey, who has kicked 21 goals in 10 games this year, has unrestricted rights in October, with Carlton one of the clubs expected to make a play for him. <\/p>\n
Seven\u2019s Tom Morris reports that the Swans have offered the 26-year-old a five-year contract extension worth \u201cabout $600,000 or $700,000\u201d. <\/p>\n
But once King recommits in Carrara, Morris believes Amartey – the next-best available forward on the market – will attract offers of almost double that amount. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think most of us would appreciate ($600,000-700,000) is probably right, given what he\u2019s achieved in the game,\u201d Morris said on Seven. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut you just wait for Ben King to re-sign \u2026 and Joel Amartey\u2019s price will skyrocket. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve spoken to multiple clubs today who\u2019ve confirmed that they believe Amartey\u2019s price on the open market will be between $1-1.2 million a year as soon as King signs. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s how much he\u2019s going to be worth, given how valuable key forwards are in the modern-day system.\u201d<\/p>\n
RELATED: Swans in standoff with star as rival makes move<\/a><\/p>\n Scott defiant on Essendon strategy | 01:29<\/p>\n HAWKS, VIC RIVAL TO RENEW MERRETT INTEREST<\/p>\n Zach Merrett is again \u201cconsidering his future away from Essendon\u201d, with Hawthorn set to renew its interest alongside an emerging Victorian rival. <\/p>\n Multiple reports have indicated that Merrett – who failed in his desire to join the Hawks last October – will again explore a departure despite still being under contract. <\/p>\n Nine\u2019s Sam McClure revealed that not only will Hawthorn again target Merrett, but Melbourne might, too. <\/p>\n \u201c(The Hawks) may have told people quietly and privately that they cooled on their interest – they haven\u2019t. They will be vying for Zach Merrett again,\u201d McClure told Footy Classified. <\/p>\n \u201cI think there\u2019ll be a couple of other clubs, including the Melbourne Football Club – which has plenty of salary cap space – that if they keep going on the trajectory that they\u2019re going, may (have) some interest.\u201d<\/p>\n McClure wrote in The Age<\/a> that the Demons, who launched \u201ca throw at the stumps\u201d for Merrett late last year, would continue to have interest that\u2019s \u201clikely to intensify\u201d. <\/p>\n It comes after On the Couch\u2019s Jon Ralph revealed on Fox Footy that the Gold Coast Suns have \u201casked the question of Merrett\u201d<\/a>. <\/p>\n AFL Tonight\u2019s David Zita explained last Sunday that any talks of an Essendon extension for Merrett, which was considered a possibility earlier this year<\/a>, were \u201cwell and truly on the back-burner\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s not really any rush from either side,\u201d Zita told Fox Footy\u2019s Sunday Ticket. <\/p>\n \u201cEssendon will point to the fact that he\u2019s contracted for next year, and I think from Merrett\u2019s point of view, he probably wants to see where this club is at. And there\u2019s no point in making any decisions now. <\/p>\n \u201cI think this is going to be another one where we just go through the course of the year and see where things sit. <\/p>\n \u201cZach Merrett\u2019s future again is going to be a talking point – it\u2019s just about what happens this time.\u201d<\/p>\n